Rainy weekend might soak some basements

Friday, March 11, 2016

Weather forecasters say it will be a wet and blustery weekend across the Northwest, further saturating soil that’s already soggy from this week’s heavy rains. If you have a basement, now is a good time to check it for moisture. Persistent dampness is not good – it can lead to rot, mold growth, and accelerate any settling of your foundation. Ongoing maintenance problems like those typically are not covered by homeowners insurance. However, you can control surface water. Don’t let it pool against your home. One simple step is to go outside and make sure your downspouts divert water away from your foundation. If you find standing water anywhere in your yard near the home, regrade your yard so that water flows away. If that’s impractical, install a French drain. Why? Pools of trapped water can seep into your basement. Similarly, make sure driveways and sidewalks slope away from your home, too. For more tips, check out our advice on how to dry up your wet basement.